Cairns backpacker stabbed in neck at Gecko's hostel

The survival of a tourist allegedly stabbed in broad daylight at a busy backpacker hostel in Far North Queensland is a "pure fluke" after major arteries in her neck were missed by "mere millimetres", police say.

Key points:

Two nurses staying at the hostel provided first aid to the 26-year-old woman who was allegedly stabbed in the neck

Police say the woman's injuries are "very significant" and describe her survival as a "pure fluke"

The woman remains in a stable condition in hospital and is due to have surgery on Wednesday

The 26-year-old woman and a friend were just days into an Australian holiday and had been staying at the inner-city Gecko's hostel in Cairns where the accused had been living and working when the incident occurred, police said.

Police allege Raynard Gregory Moodoonuthi, a 36-year-old from the Wellesly Islands in the Gulf of Carpentaria, approached the woman in a common area at 11:00am on Monday.

When the woman called for help, police said the man assaulted her.

He then allegedly grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed her in the neck as she attempted to flee.

Two nurses, also staying at the hostel, provided first aid before the woman was taken to the Cairns Hospital, where she remains in a stable condition.

Moodoonuthi left the scene on foot and was arrested several streets away.

Victim survived by 'pure fluke'

Detective Senior Sergeant Ed Kinbacher said the victim's injuries were "very significant" and described her survival as a "pure fluke".

"The stab wound, we allege, hits in the upper neck and penetrates into the body," he said.

"It just merely — by mere millimetres — missed the major arteries that were in the area."

He praised the actions of the two nurses who were fellow hostel residents, who followed the victim onto the street and stemmed her blood loss.

"Clearly this is a psychologically and physically scarring incident which she'll carry for some time," he said.

"This is an awful offence — a young woman who just arrived in Cairns, here to enjoy what this community offers, and within a short period of time — no fault of her own — she's finding herself with a life-threatening injury through a stupid act of violence."

Police are contacting the woman's family.

Friends 'shocked' by attack

Friend Eduardo Retamal Lopez said the alleged attack had shocked the Latin American community.

"We think that being in a country [like Australia] will be a bit easier, but sometimes we're not out of risk here," he said.

Mr Lopez said the woman was receiving support from friends and relatives, and was due to have surgery on Wednesday.